Assessment of a biofilm-based culture system within zero water exchange on water quality and on survival and growth of the freshwater shrimp Neocaridina heteropoda heteropoda

VERONICA VIAU; AGUSTINA MARCIANO; ANALIA IRIEL,; LAURA S. LÓPEZ GRECO

AQUACULTURE RESEARCH

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2016

1355-557X

The contribution of biofilm to water quality andas a food source for the culture of the freshwatershrimp Neocaridina heteropoda heteropoda wasassessed in indoor aquaria using a zero waterexchange system. Two successive phases wereconducted to evaluate biofilm development on differentsubstrates (polyethylene net: PN, plastic bottles:PET, agrovelo: AV) and the effect of biofilm toshrimps culture. The biofilm grown on all substrateshelped to keep a good water quality by theuptake of nitrogen compounds and the productionof high levels of dissolved oxygen associated to theproliferation of autotrophic microorganisms. Highsurvival, reproduction and hatching of shrimpswere achieved in all groups mainly associated withgood water quality. Final biomass of the shrimpswas significant higher for PN and AV groups;while specific growth rate and the levels of lipidsof the shrimps yielded similar values for all treatmentsindicating that the three substrates allowedthe growth of a biofilm that resulted in a healthyfood source with similar nutritional value forshrimps. The results show that the production ofN. heteropoda heteropoda could be successfully conductedby a biofilm-based culture system with nowater exchange, and thus contributing to a betterwater use. All materials tested were suitable substratesfor biofilm growth, though AV and PETcould reduce significantly production costs whencompared to the PN. Moreover, by the recyclingand reuse of waste materials (such as plastic bottles)could contribute to the development of aresponsible, sustainable and environmentallyfriendly culture method.